Voit Employees Facing Job Cuts May Seek Help from Local Outplacement Agencies
Potentially, 140 Voith employees may opt to transfer to a new company. - Approximately 140 employees at Voit could potentially transition to a new transportation firm
The automotive supplier Voit in St. Ingbert, Saarland is undergoing massive job cuts, following their insolvency filed at the beginning of the year due to a failed takeover by a Chinese company. It's reported that around 140 employees may become unemployed, with these employable individuals offered the chance to transition to an outplacement agency by May 1. The current workforce of 930 will eventually drop to roughly 740, accounting for voluntary redundancies, retirements, and dismissals by the end of April.
According to Patrick Selzer, the first authorized representative of IG Metall Saarbrücken, those who do not join the outplacement agency will receive proper dismissal notices. The three-month notice period applies due to insolvency law.
In a difficult fiscal climate for the automotive industry, exacerbated by US tariffs, the decision to cut jobs was unavoidable, says Selzer. Despite the challenging circumstances, all feasible insolvency regulations have been exhausted to aid the affected staff as much as possible.
The employees accepted the news with a sense of calm, though the atmosphere remained subdued. In the coming days, detailed information sessions for small groups will be held to discuss the outplacement agency's agreed conditions.
The outplacement agency's duration varies according to the employee's length of service, ranging from 4 to 12 months. The short-time work allowance will be topped up to 80% of the last net salary - or 87% if there are dependents.
The Role of Outplacement Agencies
When companies face insolvency, employees often turn to local employment services or outplacement agencies for assistance. These organizations can help with job placement, resume building, and interview preparation.
Saarbrücken and neighboring towns might have outplacement services that could lend a hand to Voit's affected employees. Firms like Tempton, specializing in personnel services, could be potential helpers in this regard[1]. However, specific outplacement services related to Voit in St. Ingbert remain to be identified.
If you're a Voit employee seeking support, contacting local or nearby city employment agencies might offer more relevant guidance. In Germany, the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) also provides assistance for workers facing company insolvencies, even though they may not operate as exclusive outplacement agencies.
[1] Tempton GmbH: https://www.tempton.de/ (last accessed: March 21, 2023)
- The affected Voit employees, due to the company's insolvency and upcoming job cuts, can seek help from local outplacement agencies for job placement, resume building, and interview preparation.
- Despite the outplacement agency's duration varying based on an employee's length of service, ranging from 4 to 12 months, the short-time work allowance will be topped up to 80% of the last net salary for those without dependents or 87% for those with dependents.
- In the midst of the automotive industry's challenging fiscal climate, with Voit's insolvency and resulting job cuts, it's crucial for employees to familiarize themselves with community policies and vocational training programs, which may aid in securing future employment.
